Technologically Aligned Building Systems - Mep Coordination And Bim Services

By Author: William Cooper
Total Articles: 14
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As it is believed that change is required over time and results are good, this thought fits well in the construction industry as well. The conventional designing methods have been reinforced with many technological advancements, prime among which is MEP BIM Services.

The growth in Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been a major breakthrough for the enhancement of architectural, engineering, and construction professionals and their methodologies. BIM Services have further improvised the delivery of MEP coordination services with MEP BIM modeling.

In designing and construction, MEP stands for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing services which are crucial for the functioning of a structure efficiently. These services also incorporate safety systems like fire protection, data systems, pneumatic tubing, gas piping, etc.

Understanding MEP Coordination Services
The building sector is always working under pressure to meet deadlines, manage budget, labor, and productivity goals. This constant struggle has resulted in a plethora of approaches in the designing and development of technology that aim at reducing ...
... inefficient processes.

MEP Coordination is used in construction projects in order to minimize the conflicts between different building services. The subcontractors linked with services like ducting, plumbing, electrical lines coordinate on these drawings to avoid any clashes or interference between the systems. These systems are further synchronized with the building’s architectural design and structural plans to ensure zero conflicts with ceilings or structurally supporting components.

MEP Coordination ensures that the planned services and their proposed layouts don’t clash amongst themselves or with design elements. These conflicts have to be avoided while laying equipment and, in the duct, or piping routes. Once the design is claimed clash-free, it’s then that the construction starts on site.

Importance of MEP Coordination

A structure’s designing process that reduces the number of on-site disputes are projects that are completed on time and with a set budget. Basic equipment disputes with assembly elements, such as mechanical systems, electrical wiring or boards, and pipework for building supply water and seepage – may quickly eat away cost savings and cause your project to be delayed.

MEP is a multi-disciplinary alliance of the three major elements forming a building’s core infrastructure. The coordination amongst these three attributes is to identify and resolve conflicts before the beginning of on-site construction.

In order to maintain harmony between these individual layouts and plans, it’s crucial to have them coordinated and updated with the layouts of each discipline.

Each subject area has to be aware of the precise location of installation of the other right from the modeling stage. An accurate model can thus only be generated with MEP coordination services.

It is all about the synchronization of the building services to form an accurate and well-functioning building. The coordination includes the vertical and horizontal location for systems within defined constraints set by architectural design and structural components. This is an important step as it may aid in an easy on-site execution without errors or changes to be made in the later stages.

BIM as Respite - MEP BIM Modeling

BIM has served design and engineering professionals with convenient tools to plan, design, implement and manage buildings methodically. BIM services like mechanical BIM services or electrical BIM services generate a 3D model as a reliable asset to make informed decisions during designing and resolving clashes. Thus, MEP BIM modeling has eased out the process of MEP coordination and made it more collaborative and communicative.

The process involved in MEP BIM services is spatial zoning of mechanical equipment, pipes, wires, and plumbing services with MEP BIM modeling. The model ensures that there are no clashes in the whole structure and in-between these services.

The completion of the model puts in front the challenges and issues that need iterations. The 3D models generated can be reviewed by means of walkthroughs and the conflicts can be highlighted which are further omitted during MEP coordination.

Advantages of MEP BIM Services

The integration of BIM technology in MEP Coordination has proved to be beneficial for the professionals in the AEC industry. The execution of coordination services through BIM modeling is in favor of the best construction services and results in lesser issues on site.

The collaboration of MEP with BIM has resulted in various benefits for the designers. These are:

1. Better Work Quality

BIM serves with the flexibility to alter the design or documentation which results in less time for the coordination process and minimizes the manual checks required. It provides the design-time with abundant time to resolve concerns related to architectural designs.

With BIM, MEP coordination gets a hold over technical decisions and the planning of structures is made more efficient with high-quality work.

2. Quick Designing

3D modeling allows the design and documentation to happen simultaneously. Drawings, planning, estimations, schedules, etc. can be worked on side by side and on-site alterations can be incorporated efficiently in the virtual model.

3. Reduced Costs

MEP BIM services allow coordination amongst a small team that may deliver more and efficient products. This minimizes the chance of miscommunication and results in reduced costs of the project.

4. Conflict-free MEP Coordination Services

Mechanical BIM services, plumbing BIM services, or electrical BIM services allow the simultaneous designing of these layouts. The centralized model overlays these services and can accommodate changes quickly.

5. Constructive Visualization

With this advanced approach, primarily, architectural, structural, and MEP layouts are laid in the model. The virtual model allows space optimization with the placement of secondary elements around the primary ones. This results in an efficient visualization for the design process.

With these set of advantages offered by merging MEP services with BIM, an accurate coordination drawing can be generated that requires minimal communication and clarifications.

The conventional error-prone surveys are thus avoided and a precise MEP coordination layout is developed.

Technologically Coordinated Approach…

MEP services with the integration of BIM are gaining popularity across the globe. All it demands is a well-defined infrastructure and skilled, competent personnel to deliver accurate outcomes. These enable collaboration among architects, engineers, and building specialists for increased productivity, enhanced design, and simplified construction stages. These tech-savvy construction techniques have brought an evolution in the conventional designing and construction industry.

The traditional approach of overlaying and comparing the drawings has been revolutionized with the BIM-based approach that offers to work on a simplified 3D model. A knowledge-based approach to this model has empowered the construction professionals to deliver efficient plans, creative designs, and perfect installation of the equipment in the structure.

With specialized coordination, the major challenges can be eliminated which are generally faced during the execution of construction. It can result in a smoothly coordinated design and construction. With control over the layouts and virtual model before starting construction, the process can be eased out, and the need for reworking can be omitted. MEP coordinating is a challenging task that has been made easier and a quick procedure with evolution in modern tech-oriented services.

Joining hands together with highly advanced software, the designing, and construction industry can offer better building solutions with the effective functioning of the structure. This can be done with minimal efforts, without clashes, and at lower costs at a faster pace.